windmill pitching -

Question
Right handed pitcher was told that her left leg (that starts behind and moves ahead) cannot leave the ground (which sounds impossible) but must drag on the dirt, just like the right pivot foot that pushes off the rubber and drags forward as she pitches.  No problem with any right foot crow hop, but I've never heard anything about the left foot having to stay on the ground or being limited in how it can move ahead.  What are the rules about that left foot moving ahead as the right hander winds up and releases?  I've seen pictures of jenny finch with her left foot several feet in the air as she pushes ahead, but the umpire objected to the left foot "jumping out" and landing ahead.  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Norman,

A pitcher is required to take a forward and toward the batter "step" with the non-pivot foot.

Right handed pitcher was told that her left leg (that starts behind and moves ahead) cannot leave the ground (which sounds impossible) Since the left leg is the stride leg for a right handed pitcher I can't imagine how you can step or stride and drag that foot on the dirt, sounds impossible to me also.

I think the umpire needs some instruction in pitching.

mark